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Updated May 23, 2013

IELTS Part 2 and Part 3 Topics and Questions

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431. An Exciting Experience (2) (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

432. Your First Day (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

433. Some Physical Exercise (June 9, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

434. An Interesting Old Person (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

435. Your Favourite Part of the Day (May, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

RETURN TO PART 2 TOPIC INDEX

FQ = frequent question = a question that has frequently been reported = a question that is probably in the examiner's question book

* = my guess at a question

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431. An Exciting Experience (2) (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Copy of Topic 82

Describe something you did (or experienced) that was exciting. *

You should say:

when you did it

where you were when you did it

who you did it with *

and explain why this experience was exciting for you.

Notes

This might be Topic 82, returning to the test.
So far (at June 14), no-one has reported that the choice of "new" is included in this topic, as it possibly was in Topic 82. But if you think about it, most exciting experiences are new or almost new to you. If you have done it many times before, it is no longer so exciting for you, no matter how exciting it was the first time you did it.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the relevant Part 3 questions from Topics 3, 82, 209 and 317

Exciting and Adventurous Activities

Do young people in your country like to do exciting things? (See Note)
(Possibly) Do any young people in your country like to do exciting things?
Are there many opportunities in your country for young people to do exciting things? FQ
Why do some people like such activities as bungee jumping?
Which do you think is the more exciting place (for children / young people), a rural environment or an urban environment? FQ
Do you think young people in the cities have enough opportunities to have exciting experiences?
What are the differences between having experiences in real life and having experiences on the internet?

Parental Attitudes

Would you say parents in your country give give their children enough independence? FQ

(Similar to above) Would you say parents in your country are over-protective of their children? FQ

Do you think young people today have too much pressure in their lives?

Dangerous Activities

Why do you think some people do things that are not just exciting, but dangerous?
What are some examples of these dangerous activities?
Do you think people should be banned from doing some of these dangerous activities? FQ
If someone has an accident while they are doing something dangerous or adventurous or, for example, gets lost or needs other help while doing something adventurous, do you think this results on a cost to society? FQ
(Similar to above) If someone needs help or has an accident while they are doing something dangerous, do you think the government still has a responsibility to help them? FQ
Who should pay the cost of, for example rescuing someone, when that person was doing something dangerous or adventurous?
Do you think modern life is very dangerous? FQ

Dangerous Jobs

What are some examples of work that is dangerous? *
Why do people do these jobs? *

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432. Your First Day (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Describe your first day at school, university or work. *

You should say:

where it was

who was with you *

what happened

and explain how you felt on that day.

Notes

It might say, "Describe your first day in a class or a job."
Possibly it says, "your first day at high school, university or work" = "your first day at secondary school, university or work". After all, most people can't remember their first day at primary school, when they were about 6 years old.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

Career Choices

Who gives more suggestions to young people for their future careers, their school (or university), or their parents? FQ
Which do you think is better, advice from schools or advice from parents on this question?
Do you think career counseling at school is useful? FQ
Do you think it's useful for young people to receive advice and guidance when they are choosing a career? FQ
How do young people (students) find information about careers?

Finding Employment

Is it easy for recent high school and university graduates to find employment in your country? FQ

How do a recent high school or university graduates (in your country) usually find a job?

Some people say that if you have a powerful father, it's easy for find a good job. Do you agree?

Do schools (or universities) ever help recent graduates to find a job?

Do schools (or universities) give advice on how to find a job?

In what ways does the government provide job opportunities (in your country)?

Does the government help school leavers and university graduates to find jobs?

Do you think the government should help school and university graduates find jobs? FQ

What are some of the newer ways that people use to find a job, compared to how people found a job in the past?
Do you think it's more difficult for women than for men to find a job?

Leaving Home *

At what age do young people in your country usually move out from their parents' home and get their own place to live? *
What factors determine when a young person leaves home and becomes (more or less) independent of their parents? *
Do parents in your country usually continue to support their children after the children have left school or graduated from University? (If yes, how?)

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433. Some Physical Exercise (June 9, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Version A

Describe some physical exercise that is popular where you live. *

You should say:

what it is *

when people do it *

where they do it *

and explain why they choose to do this form of exercise. *

and explain what benefits they get from doing it. *

Version B

Describe some physical exercise that you frequently do. *

You should say:

what it is *

when you do it *

where you do it *

and explain why you do it. *

and explain what benefits you get from doing it. *

Notes

It is not clear if it is Version A or Version B. The two are quite different. I think Version A is more likely. One or two people seem to report that this was their Part 2 topic but others seem to report that Version B is asked in Part 3.
For Version B: "Physical exercise" can be sport but it could be something as simple as walking up the stairs to your 4th floor apartment. In the latter case, assuming there is no elevator (= lift) in your apartment building, you don't do it with the aim of getting some exercise but you do, in fact, get some exercise from doing it.

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See also the related Part 3 questions from Topic 367.

Physical Exercise

What do people do for exercise around where you live? FQ (See Note)
Do young people and old people generally do the same types of physical exercise? FQ
Do you think it is suitable for young people / children to do the same exercise that some old people do, such as tai ji?
Do you think busy people do much exercise? FQ
Do you think it's important for busy people to take the time to do some exercise? FQ
What do you think is the relationship between physical exercise and health?
Which do you think is better, to exercise alone or in a group?

Exercise Facilities and Equipment

Do you think it's necessary to spend money in order to get exercise?
Why do you think some people spend a lot of money to exercise in a gym (or health club)?
What exercise equipment and facilities do gyms (or health clubs) have?

Work and Physical Exercise

Please compare the good points of working outdoors with the good points of working indoors. FQx2
(Similar to above) What are the health benefits of working outdoors compared to working indoors? FQx2
What are some examples of work that involve physical exercise?
How can people who don't do much exercise in their work find time to get some exercise?
Do you think students get (or, do) enough exercise?
(If "no" to the question above) What do you suggest could be done to improve this situation?

Sport

Why do you think boys and girls generally prefer to play different sports?
Which do you think is better, individual sports or team sports?

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434. An Interesting Old Person (May 26, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Version A

Describe an interesting old person who you know.

You should say:

how you know this person *

how often you see them (= this person)

what you do together *

and explain why you think he or she is interesting

Version B

Describe an interesting old person you have met.

You should say:

when you met this person

where you met them

how often you meet them (= this person)

and explain why you think he or she was interesting.

Notes

It might be either Version A (the present 'habit' tense) or Version B (the past tense). Version B is more suitable for a person you just met once.
The older topic, Topic 369 is "An old person you like to talk to". Possibly the real wording for Topic 369 was "an interesting old person" and I have been inaccurate with the wording all the time.
"Interesting" means that your brain is stimulated; it's not a question of your feelings being moved. That is, "interesting" is related to logical thinking, or learning something new, or asking a question out of curiosity. Very often, we find something or someone to be interesting because they are different to the usual - this comparison process is a thinking process, not a feeling process.

"Liking" is a feeling, not a thinking process. Humans like things that are interesting (because humans are intelligent creatures) but that is not the only reason why we like things. But we can't say the reverse, i.e., we can't say, "I find X interesting because I like X".

Some of the Part 3 questions seem to be the same as for Topic 369. That indicates that Topic 369 and this Topic 434 might be one topic, but this is not necessarily the case - sometimes examiners use old questions that they remember from previous similar topics.

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Possible follow-up questions:

Do you often meet old people? *

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Part 3

See also the Part 3 questions for Topic 369

The Meaning of "Old" / The Generation Gap

An "old person" is someone over the age of about 60.

Do you often meet old people?
What age do you think "old" is? FQ
(Similar to above) What age is "old" in your culture? FQ
(Possible question) Why do people become old? *
How old do you think 'middle aged' people are?
Who do you think are more important, old people or young people?
Who do you think is better suited for leadership positions in society, such as leading the government, old people or young people?
Do you think young people today respect old people?
Why do you think old people sometimes don't like the behaviour of young people? FQx2
How are young people's attitudes to things and old people's attitudes different?
(Similar to above) What are some examples of how young people and old people have different attitudes about things?

The Lives of Old People Today and in the Past

What do you think are some of the advantages and some of the disadvantages of being old? FQx2
Do you think life for old people today is better than it was for old people in the past (e.g., 20 to 50 years ago)? FQx2
(Similar to above) In your country, has life for old people changed from what it was a few decades ago? FQx2
Do you have any suggestions on how life for old people today could be improved?
Do you think attitudes towards old people have changed in the past few decades?
Do you think that taking care of the elderly today is different to the way old people were taken care of in the past?
Who do you think should pay for taking care of old people, the families of the old people or the government?
Do you think old people today are happier than old people were in the past?
Some old people are quite lonely but their sons & daughters give them money. Do you think this money can help the old person overcome their loneliness?
Do you think there should be a fixed retirement age for people? FQ
What would you suggest as the ideal retirement age?

Old People in the Future

Do you think life for old people in the future will be better than it is today? FQx2
In the future, what things do you think old people will need (for living)?
In the future, do you think you will be spending more time with old people or with young people?
In the future, do you think there will be more old people in society than now, or fewer?
What do you think might be the advantages and disadvantages of having more old people in society?

Retirement/Leisure (From Topic 369)

Why do companies usually not hire old people for work?
In your country, at what age do people usually retire from work? FQ
Is this retirement age a law or is it just the custom in your country?
Do you think this is a suitable age to retire? *
Do you think many old people would like to continue working after they retire? FQx2

(Similar to above) Do you think old people want to retire? FQx2

(Similar to above) Why do you think a lot of old people want to keep working? FQx2

What problems do you imagine some old people have as a result of retiring from work?

Why do some employers think that hiring old people has advantages? FQx2

(Similar to above) What can an older person offer an company?

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Below are the Part 3 Questions from Topic 369. These questions are being added here because it is possible that this Topic 434 is not new but is actually Topic 369 that was always "Describe an interesting old person you know", not "Describe an old person you like to talk to".

The Role of Old People in the Family & in Society / Attitudes Towards Old People

Attitudes

Do you think it's important to speak with old people?
In your country, how are old people treated?
Do you think the way old people are treated in your country is good?
Do you think people's attitudes towards (e.g., respect towards) old people have changed in recent years? (e.g., the past 30 years) (If yes, how and why?) FQx2
Do you think the way old people are treated (or, attitudes towards old people) will change in the future? FQ
How are the views of old people different to what young people today think? *

Old People Living with Their Families Frequent sub-topic

What do you think is the role of old people in the family today?

Has this role changed, compared to the past?

Do you think that old people should live with their children (and grandchildren)? FQx2

What are the benefits of this? FQx2

(Similar to above) What can old people do within the family that is helpful?
Do you think it's a good idea for old people to take care of (young) children?
Why do many old people help to take care of their grandchildren?
Do you think old people should have to take care of (young) children?
Do you think it's fair for old people (if they have to do that)?
What are some reasons why old people sometimes (have to) take care of young children?
What can children (grandchildren) learn from old people?
And is there anything that young people can teach old people?
Do you think old people generally get along with young people?
Do you think there is a 'generation gap' between old people and their children and grandchildren and how serious or important is this?
Are children generally willing to accept advice from old people?
Are young people (e.g., teenagers and people in their twenties) willing to accept advice from old people?

Problems

What problems do (some) old people have? FQ
(Similar to above) Would you say that old people in your country are happy? (= Do they have any problems?) FQ
Do you have any suggestions on how this problem could be addressed? *

What government services are there for old people in your country? *

Are the old people happy with these services?

Taking Care of Old People

What is life like for old people today, compared to 20 or 30 years ago?
Do you think there are any new problems resulting from the fact that many countries now have an aging population?
What do you think life will be like for old people 20 or 30 years in the future?
Besides financial help, in what ways do old people need help?
Who do you think should be responsible for looking after old people, the government or the family?
Do you think young people have a responsibility to look after old people?
Do you think the government has a responsibility to look after old people?
In your culture (your country), do old people usually live with their children? FQ
Do you think this is good?
Do you think this might change in the future?
How do you think taking care of old people could be improved?

An Aging Society

Are there many old people in your hometown?
How does it affect the community when there are more old people than young people?
(Similar to above) In many countries, the proportion of old people in society is increasing. How do you think society will (or, might) change in the future as a result of this trend? FQx2
How could a place that doesn't have enough young people attract more young people to move there (or not to leave there)?

Retirement/Leisure

Why do companies usually not hire old people for work?
In your country, at what age do people usually retire from work? FQ
Is this retirement age a law or is it just the custom in your country?
Do you think this is a suitable age to retire? *
Do you think many old people would like to continue working after they retire? FQx2

(Similar to above) Do you think old people want to retire? FQx2

(Similar to above) Why do you think a lot of old people want to keep working? FQx2

What problems do you imagine some old people have as a result of retiring from work?

Why do some employers think that hiring old people has advantages? FQx2

(Similar to above) What can an older person offer an company?

Old People's Activities

In your country, what do old people do after they retire? FQ

Has this changed in the past few years (e.g., 30 years)?

(Similar to above) How do old people relax?

(Similar to above) What do old people (in your country) do at home?

What do old people do for exercise?

Are there any recreational or entertainment facilities in your hometown especially for old people?

Do you think it's important for old people to continue learning new things?

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435. Your Favourite Part of the Day (May, 2012) (Probably no longer used)

Describe your favourite part of the day.

You should say:

when it is

what you do at this time

who is usually with you at this time

and explain why it is your favorite part of the day.

Notes

Instead of the words, "part of the day" it might say, "time of the day". The word "time" is flexible - you could use it to mean clock time, such as 5 pm, or you can use it to mean "part of the day", such as, "the early morning".

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Possible follow-up questions:

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Part 3

See some vocabulary here

See here for notes on this Part 3

Planning / Organizing Your Time

How important do you think it is for people to plan how they use their time?
What are the advantages of planning your time?
do people plan their daily routine?

(Similar to above) How do people decide what their daily routine will be?

How do people decide what to do with their free time?
Do you think there are any possible disadvantages from sticking to a (strict) daily routine?
What are the disadvantages of routines (= schedules or timetables)?
Do you think there are any differences between the ways young people and old (or, older) people plan their time? FQx2
Are there any special tools (or methods) that people use to plan their time? FQ

Time Usage

How do you think a person (especially a married person) can find the right balance between work time and family time (family life)? FQx2
What are some examples of problems that might result there is not a good balance between work time and family time? FQ

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